Vehicle with loading boxes or loading surfaces

ABSTRACT

A vehicle provided with at least one front axis and at least one rear axis, one vehicle frame and at least one loading box or loading surface which can be raised or lowered in a vertical direction by way of lifting devices, in addition to a loading ramp located in the rear area of the vehicle. At least one loading box or loading surface is arranged behind at least one rear axis such that it forms an inner loading ramp ( 9 ). At least one opening surface is arranged in a lateral ( 16 ) and rear position ( 20 ) on the vehicle frame and used to release loading openings for loading or emptying.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/534,838 filed May 13, 2005, which is a national stage completion ofPCT/EP2003/012548 filed Nov. 11, 2003 which claims priority from GermanPatent Application Serial No. 102 52 682.6 filed Nov. 12, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vehicle provided with at least one front axleand at least one rear axle, with loading boxes or loading surfaces toaccommodate cargo, with a vehicle frame and with a loading ramp situatedin the rear area of the vehicle frame, in conjunction with which atleast one part of the loading boxes or the loading surfaces is capableof being raised and lowered in a vertical direction by means of liftingdevices arranged on the vehicle frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle of this kind is described, for example, in EP 0 733 003 B1 andin DE 298 13 998 U.

For the purpose of loading and unloading goods vehicles, it is oftennecessary to use forklift trucks or similar lifting devices in order tolift the cargo from the ground onto the frequently relatively highloading surface, and to set it down again.

In order to facilitate the loading and unloading procedure, goodsvehicles are frequently also equipped externally at the rear withloading ramps, which generally exhibit a depth of ca. 2 m (about 2 m or6.56 ft). In the driving mode, the loading ramp is folded verticallyupwards against the rear end of the vehicle. For loading and unloadingpurposes, this ramp is brought into a horizontal attitude as a firststage by means of hydraulic lifting cylinders. The rear end of thevehicle is opened, and the goods to be unloaded are pushed onto theloading ramp. The loading ramp is then lowered to the ground by means offurther cylinders.

A disadvantage associated with this process, however, is the need for acorrespondingly large maneuvering distance or space behind the vehiclefor lowering the loading ramp, which often leads to problems due to alack of available parking space. Moreover, the loading ramp in itsraised, horizontal position not only constitutes a traffic obstruction,but also represents a source of danger, in particular to the riders ofmotorcycles and bicycles.

Since, with the loading ramp in its upper raised position, the ramp issituated at a height of more than 1 m (3.28 ft), an additional risk ofaccident exists in conjunction with loading and unloading, especially ifthe loading ramp is made slippery by snow or rain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is thus, in the case of a vehicle ofthe aforementioned nature, in conjunction with which the facility forsignificantly easier loading and unloading is created by means of theloading boxes or the loading surfaces that are capable of being lowered,additionally to improve these even further, and in particular to createa means of loading and unloading which saves maneuvering space.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the atleast one loading surface or loading box behind the at least one rearaxle is arranged in such a way that it is executed as an internalloading ramp, in conjunction with which at least one lateral openingsurface and at least one rearward-facing opening surface are arranged onthe vehicle frame, which opening surfaces expose loading openings forthe purpose of loading or unloading.

By means of the embodiment in accordance with the invention, thepreviously externally arranged loading ramp is practically relocated inthe interior of the vehicle, in conjunction with which a clear reductionis achieved in the external maneuvering space required for loading andunloading. Space can be saved at the rear in this way, for example, bydispensing with an external loading ramp. The fact that opening surfacesare also provided on one or both sides of the vehicle means that nospace at all is now required behind the vehicle for loading andunloading, should this situation arise.

In the embodiment in accordance with the invention, the whole of theoverhang of the vehicle frame behind the rear axle can be executed as aninternal loading ramp, for example. This means that the area behind therear axle essentially acts as a loading ramp in the form of one or moremoving loading boxes or loading surfaces, which are capable of beingdisplaced by lifting devices from a driving position to an unloadingposition on the ground. Any desired intermediate positions are likewisepossible for the loading ramp in accordance with the invention. Inexactly the same way, it can also be raised to the ramp height ofbuildings.

It is possible in conjunction with this, for example, to provide for thearrangement of a roller door on the rear of the vehicle, which iscapable of being displaced in lateral guides, for example. One, orpreferably both, of the lateral surfaces can be provided with slidingdoors in one embodiment of the invention, which doors can be slid in aforward direction to permit unloading and in so doing completely exposelateral opening surfaces.

In a highly advantageous further development of the invention, twosliding doors arranged on either side can be provided with verticalguides, in which the rear roller door runs, which roller door in itsopened state is slid into a stowage area in the roof structure.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the one or more sliding doors canbe provided on their rear side with inward-facing angled sections, towhich the rear lighting of the vehicle and, if necessary, otherarrangements that are required at the rear of the vehicle are attached.

In an embodiment of this kind, in the lowered state or even inintermediate positions, or with the at least one rear loading box orloading surface at ramp height, this is accessible from all three sides,namely from the rear and from both sides, without the need forinconvenient retaining limbs or stabilizing devices.

The attachment and also the guide for the sliding door, or for the twosliding doors, and for the roller door can be effected in the roofstructure that is present at the rear above the rear axle.

If the one or more lateral sliding doors are not arranged over the totalheight of the vehicle, but if an area for a lateral enclosing wall isleft in the lower area, or if space is provided additionally thereto,the lateral enclosing wall can then serve as an access ramp in itslowered state, for which purpose it is caused to pivot laterallyoutwards to a corresponding extent. The same is true of the rear of thevehicle with the roller door.

A further advantage of the solution in accordance with the invention isembodied in the fact that existing vehicles can also be converted inaccordance with the invention without problem at a later date. All thatis necessary for this purpose, in the case of a vehicle with a ladderframe, in which two longitudinal members arranged laterally at a mutualdistance from one another with interjacent transverse members areprovided, is to cut the ladder frame in the vicinity of the rear axle.If the C-pillar, which is arranged in the vicinity of the rear axle ofthe vehicle, is then provided with a lifting device, one or more loadingboxes or loading surfaces that are capable of being raised and loweredcan be attached as a complete subassembly, in conjunction with which theloading boxes or loading surfaces can be supported on the lifting devicein association with a portal-like construction. In this case, only theroof structure projects rearwards in its original nature and mannerbeyond the rear axle. All that then remains in this case is to provide areceiving device in the roof structure for the rear opening surface, forexample a roller door, and to install retaining devices and guide railsfor the one or more sliding doors.

As an alternative to this, it is, however, also possible to leave thevehicle superstructure with the ladder frame unchanged, in conjunctionwith which the possibility of operation with a trailer is also afforded.In this case, it is also possible to provide correspondingly narrower,height-adjustable loading boxes or loading surfaces on one side, or alsoon both sides of the ladder frame. These loading boxes or loadingsurfaces can then be adjusted vertically in an identical fashion via alifting device with a portal construction arranged on the C-pillar. Inthis case, however, the internal loading ramp is divided into two and isonly accessible from the side in each case.

A highly advantageous further development of the invention may involvethe provision of an auxiliary frame for a chassis superstructure withloading boxes or loading surfaces, with lifting devices for the loadingboxes or loading surfaces, with the internal loading ramp together withthe roof structure and opening surfaces, which auxiliary frame iscapable of attachment to the longitudinal members of the ladder frame.

Prefabrication of the vehicle superstructure in accordance with theinvention is a practical possibly thanks to the auxiliary frame, inconjunction with which the auxiliary frame can be securely attached tothe standard ladder frame of the vehicle essentially in a singleassembly process by means of corresponding attachment members afterprefabrication of this kind.

In addition to facilitating assembly in this way, and to the advantagesassociated with prefabrication, this embodiment also offers theadvantage that, in the case of repairs or in the event of an accident,the vehicle and the vehicle superstructure can be replaced in a simplefashion.

Advantageous further developments and arrangements of the invention canbe appreciated from the other subordinate claims and from the followingillustrative embodiments described in principle below with reference tothe drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures show the following:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle in accordance with the inventionwith an internal loading ramp;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the vehicle in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle superstructure illustratedas a representation in principle;

FIG. 5 is a modification of a vehicle in accordance with FIG. 1 foroperation with a trailer; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed enlargement of an auxiliary frame with anattachment device for a prefabricated vehicle superstructure on a ladderframe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle with a vehicle frame 1 as represented in FIGS. 1 to 3generally exhibits a front axle 2 and a rear axle 3. Of course, morethan one front axle 2 or rear axle 3 may be provided in each case. Atotal of two loading boxes or loading surfaces 7 and 8 that are capableof adjustment in a vertical direction are provided on the vehicle frame1, which is equipped with a ladder frame having two longitudinal members4 and 5 running at a distance from one another in the longitudinaldirection, and with interjacent transverse members 6, which boxes orsurfaces are situated on both sides of the longitudinal members 4 and 5of the ladder frame and adjacent to it. A third loading box or loadingsurface 9 that is capable of adjustment in a vertical direction ispresent behind the rear axle 3. The third loading box 9 can extend overthe entire width of the vehicle.

Present above the rear axle 3 is a further loading box 10, although thisis not capable of vertical adjustment.

The loading boxes 7, 8 and 9 that are capable of vertical adjustment canbe lowered from a driving position to an unloading position by means oflifting devices 11, not illustrated in detail here, with liftingcylinders 12, to which they are attached, in conjunction with which, inthe fully lowered position, the loading surfaces of the loading boxes 7,8, 9 are present at the level of the road surface.

It is similarly possible, if the need arises, to raise the loading boxes7, 8 or 9 to a ramp height of 1100 mm (3.61 ft), for example, forloading and unloading. An appropriate free space below a roof structure13 is kept clear for this purpose between the upper edges of the loadingboxes 7, 8 and 9.

Two lifting cylinders 12 arranged for the loading boxes 7 and 8, oneither side of the vehicle in each case, are attached to one another viatheir lifting device 11 and a lateral portal 14 in each case, as aconsequence of which corresponding stability and an increase in therigidity of the vehicle are achieved. The rear loading box 9 is capableof vertical adjustment by means of a lifting device 11 provided with atransverse portal 14. The loading boxes 7, 8 and 9 are capable in eachcase of vertical adjustment independently of one another by means of theseparate lifting devices 11.

On one side of the vehicle, or preferably on both sides of the vehicle,the loading boxes 7, 8 and 10 are closed by means of roller doors 15,which in the opened state can be slid in and under the roof structure 13in a manner that is not represented here in detail.

Whereas the vehicle frame 1 with the two longitudinal members 4 and 5 ofthe ladder frame does not normally extend as far as the rear end of thevehicle, the vehicle frame 1 and the two longitudinal members 4 and 5are cut shortly behind the rear axle 3, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 1and 2. The vehicle generally possesses three pillars for stabilizationin the customary fashion, namely a so-called A-pillar, B-pillar andC-pillar. The C-pillar in this case is located shortly behind the rearaxle 3. The two longitudinal members 4 and 5 are cut at this point. Alifting device 11 with a lifting cylinder 12 is arranged on verticalrails 30 on a floor of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and on eitherside of the vehicle in each case and is also attached to the C-pillar. Aportal structure 14 connects, via the vertical rails 30 and liftingdevice 11, the two lifting cylinders 12 to one another. The loading box9 is attached to the lifting device 11 in such a way as to be capable ofvertical adjustment in a manner that is not illustrated here in anydetail. The loading box 9 consists essentially of a lower loadingsurface 9 a.

Sliding doors 16 are arranged on both sides of the vehicle as openingsurfaces in the vicinity of the loading box 9. The sliding doors 16 areattached on their upper side to the roof structure 13 via a guide rail17, not illustrated in detail here, in such a way as to be capable ofdisplacement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The slidingarrangements for the sliding doors 16 may exhibit in a previouslydisclosed fashion sliding links with a knuckle joint, of the kindcommonly encountered generally in goods vehicle doors. In conjunctionwith this, the two sliding doors 16 swing out slightly to the side, sothat in the opened state they lie between the B-pillar and the C-pillarabove the rear axle 3, as can be appreciated from FIG. 2.

The two sliding doors 16 exhibit inward-facing angled sections 18 attheir rear ends. Present on the angled sections 18 are vertical guiderails 19 that are not illustrated in detail here. The slats of a rollerdoor 20 are guided in the two guide rails 19 with the two sliding doors16 in the closed state.

As can be appreciated, the rear loading box 9 with its loading surface 9a is executed as an internal loading ramp. With the vehicle in drivingmode, the loading box 9 with the loading surface 9 a is present as aloading ramp at the same height as the other loading boxes 7 and 8 witha corresponding ground clearance. The loading box 9 in this caserepresents a normal, outwardly closed loading space in the interior ofthe vehicle.

For the purposes of loading and unloading drinks crates, for example,the loading box 9 can be lowered to the level of the road surface.Whereas only the two roller doors 15 need to be opened for the purposesof loading and unloading the loading boxes 7 and 8, in conjunction withwhich access is afforded to the loading boxes 7 and 8 from the sides,accessibility from all sides can be achieved in the case of the rearloading box 9. For this purpose, in a first stage, the roller door 20 ispushed upwards and is slid into a guide or a box in the roof structure13 in a manner that is not represented here in detail. The two slidingdoors 16 can then be slid on the outside, in the direction of the arrowin FIG. 2, towards the front between the B-pillar and the C-pillar. Ascan be appreciated from FIG. 2, the opening surfaces are thus exposed topermit access on all sides, and without the presence of any inconvenientsupports, bearers or other built-in devices. The loading box 9 with theloading surface 9 a functions in this position as a normal loading rampwith accessibility from all sides, because the loading surface 9 a isalso at the level of the road surface.

An additional, folding enclosing wall 21 can also be provided at therear, which wall, in the lowered state, is lowered from the verticalposition in which it is present in the driving mode to a horizontalposition, as can be appreciated from FIG. 1 (illustrated with brokenlines). To make the task easier, an additional, inclined access ramp tothe loading surface 9 a is also provided in this case.

In a similar fashion, of course, enclosing walls 22 can also be providedon both sides of the loading boxes 9, which walls also serve as accessramps with the loading surface 9 a in the lowered state (see therepresentation with broken lines in FIG. 3).

As can be appreciated, in the case of the vehicle in accordance with theinvention, the maneuvering space required for loading and unloading issignificantly smaller than in the case of conventional vehicles with anexternally situated loading ramp, which can generally extend for up to 2m (6.56 ft) and more behind the rear of the vehicle. In the presentcase, it is no longer necessary to make such a clear space available.

As can also be appreciated, it is also possible, should the need arise,and where the available maneuvering space is limited, to load and unloadthe loading ramp from one or both sides with the sliding door or slidingdoors 16 open.

Once loading or unloading is complete, the loading box 9 can be raisedonce more to the driving position in a simple manner with the liftingcylinders 12 by means of the lifting device 11. Unlike the previouslydisclosed, externally situated loading ramps, it is no longer necessaryin this case to move the cargo that is present on the loading surface 9a and to transfer it into the interior of the vehicle, but it can remainon the loading surface 9 a, since the loading box 9 is internal and issituated in the interior of the vehicle after closing the openingsurfaces with the sliding doors 16 and the roller door 20.

The customary rear lights 23, such as turn indicators, tail lamps, rearfog lamps, reversing lamps and similar, can be attached to the angledsections 18 of both sliding doors 16, as indicated in principle only inFIG. 3. A license plate 24 can also be arranged on one slat on theroller door 20.

The loading box 9 with the loading surface 9 a can also be retro-fitted,should the need arise, to vehicles that are already in service. All thatis required for this purpose is to cut the two longitudinal members 4and 5 at the C-pillar and to attach the lifting device 11 with thelifting cylinders 12 together with the loading box 9 and the loadingsurface 9 a to the C-pillar. In this case, the vehicle then has avertically adjustable loading box 9 only behind the rear axle 3,although all of the previously described advantages are still satisfiedin conjunction with this.

It is also possible, moreover, in addition to a superstructure on avehicle with a ladder frame, to prefabricate the vehicle superstructurecomplete with the loading boxes 7, 8, 9 and, where appropriate, 10, andwith the associated arrangements, such as lifting devices 11 with thelifting cylinders 12, as a single unit, and then to attach it to theladder frame with the longitudinal members 4 and 5 and, whereappropriate, the transverse members 6 of a vehicle. An auxiliary frame25 with longitudinal members 25 a and 25 b, as illustrated in FIG. 4,which shows a prefabricated vehicle superstructure of this kind as arepresentation in principle, is used for this purpose.

For the purposes of assembling the prefabricated vehicle superstructurein accordance with FIG. 4, this is positioned on the ladder frametogether with the auxiliary frame 25, in conjunction with which the twolongitudinal members 25 a and 25 b are placed on the longitudinalmembers 4 and 5 of the ladder frame. The two longitudinal members 25 aand 25 b of the auxiliary frame can then be connected as required to thetwo longitudinal members 4 and 5. One possibility in this respect isillustrated in FIG. 6. As can be appreciated, the connection in thiscase is effected by a plurality of screwed connections 26 with clampingdevices, such as fixing plates 27, arranged at a mutual distance fromone another, in conjunction with which the screws in the screwedconnections 26 are attached in each case via corresponding holes andattachment rails to the longitudinal members 25 a, 25 b of the auxiliaryframe and to the longitudinal members 4 and 5.

Like the loading boxes 7 and 8, the loading box 9 can also be raised,should the need arise, to the height of a ramp for the purposes ofloading and unloading, in conjunction with which loading and unloadingin this case can take place in the customary fashion towards the rearonto a ramp or similar after removing the roller door 20.

In place of a vehicle frame 1 with a ladder frame having longitudinalmembers 4 and 5 and transverse members 6, a single central member canalso be provided, if required, as can be appreciated from DE 298 13 993U.

If it is envisaged that the vehicle will also be operated with atrailer, the two longitudinal members 4 and 5 may no longer be cut offbehind the rear axle 3, but must extend to the rear of the vehicle inthe customary fashion. It is also possible in this case, however, toprovide the vehicle with internal loading ramps, as can be appreciatedfrom FIG. 5. Present behind the rear axle 3 in this case is a furthervehicle rear section with a D-pillar, and present, however, to eitherside of the ladder frame with the longitudinal carriers 4 and 5 areloading boxes 9′ that are capable of being lowered to the level of theroad, which boxes are also attached to a lifting device 11 with liftingcylinders 12. The two loading boxes 9′ in this case can be capable ofvertical adjustment separately or jointly, as is also fundamentally thecase with the two loading boxes 7 and 8. As can be appreciated, twointernal loading ramps are created in this way, which are accessiblefrom the side via opening surfaces. Instead of sliding doors 16, lateralroller doors 28 are sufficient in this case if required.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A vehicle provided with at least one front axle andat least one rear axle and with an A-pillar, a B-pillar and a C-pillar,with loading boxes or loading surfaces to accommodate cargo, with avehicle frame and with a loading ramp situated in the rear area of thevehicle frame, in conjunction with which at least on part of the loadingboxes or loading surfaces is capable of being raised and lowered in avertical direction by lifting devices arranged on the vehicle frame,wherein the at least one loading box or loading surface behind the atleast one rear axle is arranged in such a way that the at least oneloading box or loading surface is executed as an internal loading ramp,in conjunction with which at least one lateral opening surface and atleast one rearward-facing opening surface arranged on the vehicle frameare provided, which opening surfaces expose loading opening for loadingor unloading, a lifting device (11) for the at least one loading box orloading surface (9) arranged behind the rear axle (3) is arranged on theC-pillar of the vehicle frame, sliding doors (16) are provided on bothsides in the area of the loading box or loading surface (9) that iscapable of being raised and lowered, the sliding doors (16) are attachedto the roof structure (13) behind the rear axle (3) and are guided inhorizontal guide rails (19), and the roof structure (13) is provided attheir rear ends with vertical guide rails (19) for the purpose ofguiding a door (20).
 24. The vehicle according to claim 23, wherein thesliding door (16) is provided at its rear end with an inward-facingangled section (18) on which lighting devices (23), for the rear end ofthe vehicle, are arranged.
 25. The vehicle according to claim 23,wherein the door (20) is a roller door which is accommodated, in araised state thereof, in the roof structure (13) behind the rear axle.26. The vehicle according to claim 23, wherein the lifting device (11)is provided with lifting cylinders (12) which are arranged on verticalrails on the C-pillar.
 27. The vehicle according to claim 26, whereinthe lifting device (11) forms, together with the rails, a portalstructure (14).
 28. The vehicle according to claim 27, wherein anenclosing wall section (22) is arranged in each case under the one ormore sliding doors (16) or in front of these, which wall is provided asa access ramp in a lowered state of the loading box or the loadingsurface (9).
 29. The vehicle according to claim 23, wherein an enclosingwall section (21) is arranged on the rear of the vehicle, and theenclosing wall section (21) is provided as an access ram in the loweredstate of the loading box or loading surface (9).
 30. The vehicleaccording to claim 23, having a ladder frame as a part of the vehicleframe, which exhibits two longitudinal members (4, 5) arranged at adistance from one another and transverse members (6) connecting thelongitudinal members (4, 5) with one another, wherein the ladder frameis cut in an area of the at least one rear axle (3) to permit theinstallation of the internal loading ramp at a later date, and a liftingdevice (11) for the at least one loading box or loading surface (9) isattached to the C-pillar of the vehicle frame (1) behind the rear axle(3).
 31. The vehicle according to claim 23, having a ladder frame aspart of the vehicle frame, which exhibits two longitudinal members (4,5) arranged at a distance from one another and transverse members (6)connecting the longitudinal members (4, 5) to one another, wherein theat least one loading box or loading surface (9) is arranged laterally onthe ladder frame behind the at least one rear axle (3).
 32. The vehicleaccording to claim 31, wherein a loading box or loading surface (9) isarranged on both sides of the ladder frame.
 33. The vehicle according toclaim 30, having a ladder frame as a part of the vehicle frame, whichhas two longitudinal members (4, 5) arranged at a distance from oneanother and transverse members (6) connecting the longitudinal members(4, 5) to one another, wherein an auxiliary frame (25) for a chassissuperstructure with loading boxes or loading surfaces (7, 8, 9, 10),with lifting devices (11) for the loading boxes or loading surfaces, isprovided with an internal loading ramp together with the roof structure(13) an opening surfaces, which auxiliary frame is capable of attachmentto the longitudinal members (4, 5) of the ladder frame.
 34. The vehicleaccording to claim 33, wherein the auxiliary frame (25) is detachablyattached, via connecting devices (26, 27), to the longitudinal members(4, 5) of the ladder frame.
 35. The vehicle according to claim 35,wherein the connecting devices has fixing plates (27) and screwedconnections (26).